Solar Panel Installation in Myrtle Beach, SC
Local sun, utility rules, permits and installers
Myrtle Beach has about 1,350 kWh a year per kW of rooftop solar (our estimate). Your utility decides what exported power earns, so see the rules for Santee Cooper and Horry Electric Coop below, then get quotes.
Myrtle Beach solar at a glance
Utility rules and programs for Myrtle Beach
Santee Cooper and Horry Electric Coop serve Horry County, so which rules apply depends on your address.
| Utility | Type | Solar export rule |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Public Service Authority | publicly owned | Santee Cooper credits exports at $0.0415 per kWh under its Distributed Generation Rider DG-25, with a $10 monthly customer charge, for systems up to the lesser of 20 kW or your peak demand, after an interconnection application ($100 for homes). |
| Horry Electric Coop Inc | member-owned cooperative | We could not read Horry Electric Cooperative’s solar terms. A 2014 state law requires every distribution co-op to adopt its own net metering policy, so ask for the written export rate and any cap. |
Program details are from each utility’s own pages (read October 2026). See the South Carolina incentives table for statewide credits and a status for every program.
Permits and approvals in Myrtle Beach
- Construction Services Department, City of Myrtle Beach: permit information · 843-918-1111
- The city says building permits are generally required, and contractors need a city business license plus a state license for their trade. Call Construction Services to confirm whether your project needs a permit.
- The utility must approve the connection before you switch on: Santee Cooper EmpowerSolar Solar Home · your own utility’s interconnection page.
- Check any contractor on the SC LLR contractor license lookup before you sign.
- We found no South Carolina law that stops an HOA from banning rooftop solar; House Bill 4460 (2025), which would protect systems not visible from the street, was still in committee (see the bill status). Get written HOA approval before you sign.
Fees and steps change; confirm with the office before you start. We have not verified timelines for Myrtle Beach.
Costs and savings
We do not have verified installed prices for Myrtle Beach alone. The South Carolina figures above show what to expect; real quotes depend on your home, equipment and installer. Try the solar savings calculator, and get at least two written quotes.
Choosing an installer
- License: check the contractor on the SC LLR contractor license lookup and that the license covers this work.
- Quote: ask for an itemized written quote that names the equipment, warranties and who pulls the permit and handles the utility approval.
- Compare: get two or three quotes and compare them line by line, not only the total.
Get solar quotes in Myrtle Beach
Tell us about your project in Myrtle Beach. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area. It is free, with no obligation, and nothing is shared with an installer unless you choose one.
More for Myrtle Beach
Home Battery Installation in Myrtle Beach · Backup Generator Installation in Myrtle Beach · Home EV Charger Installation in Myrtle Beach · Myrtle Beach energy guide · South Carolina energy guide.
Solar Panel Installation in Myrtle Beach FAQs
Is solar worth it in Myrtle Beach?
The sun is strong (about 1,350 kWh a year per kW, our estimate), but export credits are low, so solar pays most when sized to what you use at home or paired with a battery. See the South Carolina incentives for the state credit.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?
No. The federal 25D credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025. South Carolina allows an income tax credit of 25 percent of a solar system’s cost, up to $3,500 a year, with unused credit carried forward up to 10 years (SC Code 12-6-3587).
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Myrtle Beach?
Usually yes, and the utility may need to approve solar and batteries. Construction Services Department, City of Myrtle Beach handles permits in Myrtle Beach; see the permit information above.
How do I find a licensed installer in Myrtle Beach?
Use the quote button on this page. We reply ourselves and match you with a licensed installer who serves your area; you can check any contractor on the SC LLR contractor license lookup.
Sources: sunshine and climate NASA POWER; hazards FEMA National Risk Index; utility numbers EIA-861 (2024); prices EnergySage (October 2026) and Generac (U.S.); credits IRS and the South Carolina Department of Revenue; permit information from the city or town’s own page; utility programs from each utility’s own pages (October 2026). General information, not financial, tax, legal or electrical advice. See our editorial policy.
Where to buy
Amazon shows many brands. Use the checklist to compare them.
What to check before you buy:
- Rated watts and connector type match your power station
- Folding panels: weight and weather rating are listed
- Reviews from people using it for the same job